Billy Vunipola has learned to put his ego aside when battling injury

Billy Vunipola has resolved to ignore his ego by refusing to play the hero in response to the injury misfortune that has blighted his recent career.

Vunipola makes the first start of his latest comeback in Saracens’ Gallagher Premiership clash with Northampton on Saturday after recovering from the broken arm that was re-fractured against South Africa in June.

Knee, hamstring and arm problems limited him to seven club appearances and two outings for England last season and the rampaging number eight insists he must shoulder some of the blame for his repeated visits to the treatment room.

“I got to a stage where I was just trying to be a hero, putting myself in situations where I was vulnerable,” Vunipola said.